The prime minister has said lessons will be learned after a whistleblower at the region’s ambulance trust exposed 40 alleged cases of harm or deaths due to ambulance delays.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke of the damning dossier revealed last week, where a senior staff member in the trust said 19 people died and a further 21 were harmed in less than three weeks between mid-December and early January.

And they estimated by the time investigations finished as many as 80 cases could be recorded.

Mr Corbyn, speaking at prime minister’s questions today (Wednesday), said: “According to a whistleblower as many as 80 patients were harmed or died following significant ambulance delays over a three week period this winter. This is a very serious situation, what investigation is the Department of Health carrying out into these deeply alarming reports?”

The region’s NHS came under intense pressure between mid-December and early January.

Waveney MP Peter Aldous. Picture: Courtesy of Peter Aldous.

East of England Ambulance Trust said last week: “We are aware of the claims made by MPs but note no complaints have been received from patients or their families at this time. Nor have any concerns been expressed internally through our line management, whistleblowing or freedom to speak up processes.”